Francis speaks out against “merchants of human flesh”, urging countries to welcome migrants

At today’s Angelus the Pope urged faithful to “replace prestige with service” and recalling International Migrants Day, he expressed the hope that countries would welcome migrants keeping the values of their culture of origin

Domenico Agasso jrRome

"What does it mean for the Church, for us, today, to be disciples of Jesus the Lamb of God?" Francis asked at today’s Angelus in St. Peter’s Square. "It means replacing malice with innocence, force with love, pride with humility, prestige with service,” he replied. “We Christians have to do a good job,” Francis added.

“Being disciples of the Lamb means not living as if we were a 'besieged citadel ‘, but as a city set on a mountain, open, welcoming and supportive. It means not assume an attitude of closure, but bringing the Gospel to all , bearing witness with our lives that following Jesus makes us freer and more joyful,” Francis explained.

“The word “lamb” comes up a number of times in the New Testament and always in reference to Jesus.” "This image of the lamb - he added - might surprise; an animal not known for its strength and robustness takes upon its shoulders an oppressive burden. The enormous mass of evil is removed and taken away by a weak and fragile creature that is a symbol of obedience, docility and helpless love, which arrives at a self- sacrifice. The lamb is not a dominator, but docile; it is not aggressive, but peaceful; it does not bear its claws or teeth in the face of attack but puts up with it and is submissive.”

After the Angelus, the Pope addressed migrants and refugees: “Today is the International Migrants Day, which this year has the theme " Migrants and refugees: Towards a better world", which the pontiff developed into a Message a few months ago.

“I extend a special greeting - he added - to the representatives of various ethnic communities gathered here, in particular the Catholic community in Rome. Dear friends, you are close to the heart of the Church, because the Church is a people on a journey towards the Kingdom of God that Jesus Christ has brought into our midst. Do not lose hope for a better future!” the Pope told migrants.

“I hope you live in peace in countries that welcome you, keeping the values ​​of your culture of origin. At this time - he concluded - we think of so many migrants, those without documents, without work, we think of their suffering. And we think of those who are committed to defending them from those who Blessed Scalabrini called 'the merchants of human flesh.'" "I want to thank - added - the Congregation of St. Charles he founded, the Scalabrini men and women religious who become migrants themselves among migrants."

The Pope concluded today’s Angelus by reciting the Ave Maria and saying: “Let us now pray all together for migrants and refugees who are facing serious and difficult situations.”